Arguably the Greatest War Film of Eternity

Rating: 10/10 (7 January 2013)

**This Review May Contain Spoilers**
There are many great war films. They are in a class by themselves, and can never be replaced. However some are the more elite, effectively capturing a time and crucial moment in history we might not have known much about. This is one of them.
Darryl F. Zanuck's The Longest Day is possibly the best of the elite war films, and one of the greatest of all time. The key comes from the realistically staged and recreated invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944. He could have made it a overly American film, and it would have been forgotten. But Zanuck put his heart and soul into the film and tries to present each side with dignity and honor. And with success.
For instance when Pluskat sees the invasion coming, it is darkly funny. But this is not to make Pluskat look like an idiot Nazi, it made it so he is a guy doing his job and frightened of whats coming toward him. Another when Richard Burton and Richard Beymer sit and smoke waiting for the Allies, they get into deep thoughts about the war. They are indeed patriotic soldiers, but they are tired, frustrated, and sick of the war. That is inspired writing, directing, and casting. I believe the greatest moment is delivered by Curt Jurgens at the end when he realizes he won't stop the Allies. The subtlety is unrivaled
Every cast member has his own story and moment, and all is executed flawlessly. it can be a long movie at the start, but once the invasion begins, you are on pins and needles the entire time.
One of the greatest films. Period.